Thin Client HMI Visualization Triggering for Event-Based Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing human machine interfaces (HMIs) in industrial automation systems lack enhanced functionality, ease of use, and data sharing capabilities, particularly in mobile and thin client environments, where the interface devices simply reproduce views or screens served by originating devices.
Innovation Solution
A visualization manager system that communicates with thin client HMIs to access and display adaptively triggered visualizations based on event triggers, user roles, locations, and device types, allowing for customized and interactive visualization delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If thin client HMIs are used to remove executable payload from interface devices, then flexibility and mobility are improved, but functionality and ease of use deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that hosts the visualization application and delivers it to thin client devices. This server mediates between the control system and the thin client HMI, providing the necessary processing power and functionality while allowing the thin client to remain lightweight and mobile. The server handles the executable payload, enabling the thin client to function as a full-featured HMI without requiring local processing capabilities.
2Device complexity
If conventional HMI screens are used with pre-defined content, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different events and contexts deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic visualization delivery where the server determines which visualizations to send to thin client devices based on real-time events, user roles, locations, and device types. The system dynamically adapts the HMI content without requiring complex local processing at the thin client. Visualizations are pushed or pulled based on event triggers, allowing the interface to adapt to changing conditions while keeping the thin client device simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters such as user role, location, device type, and event state to determine which visualizations should be delivered. By monitoring these parameters and using them to dynamically select and deliver appropriate visualizations, the system achieves high adaptability without increasing thin client complexity. The server handles the complexity of parameter monitoring and visualization selection.
3Loss of information
If multiple screens need to be navigated in conventional HMIs, then information completeness is improved, but productivity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple visualization screens into a single delivered visualization that can be displayed on the thin client device. The server consolidates information from multiple potential screens and delivers a comprehensive visualization that provides complete information access without requiring navigation through multiple screens. This merging approach maintains information completeness while eliminating the need for screen navigation, thereby improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The server performs preliminary action by pre-processing and consolidating visualization data before delivering it to the thin client. Instead of requiring the user to navigate through multiple screens to access different information, the server prepares and delivers a comprehensive visualization that contains all necessary information in advance, allowing immediate access without navigation steps.
4Adaptability or versatility
If visualization content is pushed or pulled based on event triggers, then adaptability to events is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The server acts as an intermediary that manages the complexity of event-triggered visualization delivery. It monitors events, determines which visualizations should be pushed or pulled based on event triggers, user context, and device capabilities, and handles the delivery process. This centralizes the complexity management at the server level, allowing thin client devices to remain simple while achieving high adaptability to events and context.
Data Source
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AI summary
A human interface technique is disclosed for industrial automation systems. The technique allows for visualizations to be distributed to interfaces, such as thin client interfaces, from automation components, such as automation controllers and other sources of visualization content. Access and delivery may be controlled by a visualization manager that stores policies for access to relevant content, such as based on an event, a user, a location of the user, and so forth. Upon occurrence of a particular event, such as relating to a machine or process that is monitored and/or controlled, the visualization manager may allow access to visualizations based upon the relevance factors.